The Available 12 Meters

The following 12 Meters are available for charter in the 12 Meter Heritage Regatta 2023. Each of these famous and historic yachts has a great story. You will meet the crew, become familiar with the stories and this 12 Meter will become part of your sailing career.

These 12 Meter are also available for other regattas like the Opera House Cup in Nantucket, the Edgartown 12 Meter Regatta in Martha’s Vineyard, or the 12 Meter North Americas in Newport.

US 19 Nefertiti

Nefertiti was the first twelve designed by Frederick “Ted” Hood and the only new 12 built for the 1962 Defender Trials. Her construction was a fast one, she was launched just 96 days after the plans were delivered to the yard. At the time she was the beamiest 12 ever built, as Hood was in search of stability, she had a long fore-triangle. She was fast in strong winds but unfortunately the Defender selection finals took place in light air. Weatherly prevailed and ultimately won the match against Gretel for the 1962 America’s Cup. Nefertiti won the 1962 Lipton Memorial Trophy (NYYC).

US 21 American Eagle

American Eagle is most famous for her extraordinary history as an ocean racer under the command of Ted Turner. From 1969 to 1974, the brilliant red Eagle ruled the offshore waters, winning the first World Ocean Racing Championship and setting records in the distinguished S.O.R.C., Fastnet and Sydney-Hobart Races. Ted Turner won the coveted “Yachtsman of the Year” award twice while skipper of American Eagle.

US 17 Weatherly

Weatherly participated in the 1958 America’s Cup Trials, compiling several wins under skipper Arthur Knapp Jr, but was not selected as the Defender that year.  Few Cup contenders have ever been given a second chance, but Weatherly’s steadily improving record led her owners to try again in 1962, when Australia challenged for the first time with Gretel. The Americans fielded four boats to vie for the chance to defend the Cup, and Weatherly was ultimately selected for the challenge.

US 42 America II

When the NYYC lost the America’s Cup in 1983, they immediately formed a new syndicate to win back the Cup. The next Cup Races were scheduled for 1987 in Fremantle, Australia. To mount the strongest challenge, the NYYC built 3 new 12 Meters, all named “America II” but each carrying a different sail number. These were US 42, 44 & 46. US-42 was the first 12 Meter built and she was sailing by 1985.

Charter Fee

The charter fee for the 12 Meter Heritage Regatta is $3,500 per session.

The sessions are:

1) Thursday, June 15, 2023 – 6 pm to dusk (2 races scheduled)
Corporate Championship – Organizations and companies can field a team to race

2) Friday, June 16, 2023 – 6 pm to dusk (2 races scheduled)
Women’s Championship –All-women teams are encouraged to compete on this day

3) Saturday, June 17, 2023 – Afternoon Session – 11 am to 2pm
Club Championship – This is a championship for all social, university and yachting clubs

4) Saturday, June 17, 2023 – Evening Session – 4 to 7 pm
Club Championship – This is a championship for all social, university and yachting clubs

  • If you charter a 12 Meter for the full day on Saturday, the charter fee for your 2 sessions is discounted from $7,000 to $5,000.
  • If you charter a 12 Meter for the Thursday or Friday races, you can also upgrade your charter to have use of the 12 Meter for the entire day. This will let you bring more people sailing onboard during the day. You can use the additional sailing time to take friends or co-workers sailing past the Statue of Liberty, or use it for your team to do some race training. The upgrade fee is $1,500 and makes your full day charter $5,000.

All monies raised through the charter fees goes towards supporting these historic America’s Cup 12 Meters. Thank you for sailing onboard and helping to preserve these important pieces of American yachting tradition.

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